2012
Railsplitter Festival - Lincoln, Illinois September 14 - 16, 2012 Copyright LDN 2012
17
The 42nd annual National Railsplitting
Contest produces 11-time winner
S
unday afternoon the Logan County Fairgrounds was the scene of the 42nd annual
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Contest.
This year’s first-place winner was Chris Friedlein. This was the 11th win for Friedlein,
as he also took the top spot in 1983, ‘88, ‘94, ‘95, 2000, ‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ‘07 and 2010. He said the
key to so many wins is to “keep plugging along; don’t give up halfway through.”
The afternoon began with a re-enactment of the christening of Lincoln. The contest then got
off to an exciting start. The crowd cheered for all those participating, allowing the competition
to remain friendly between rivals. First prize was $1,000, second prize $500, third $250 and
fourth $100.
Others who placed well in the competition were Jonathon Norin of Arrowsmith, second; Roy
Usury of Des Arc, Mo., third; and Travis Plichard of Bloomington, fourth.
Logs were sponsored by Chris Coyne State Farm Insurance, Rick Hamm State Farm
Insurance, Moriearty Insurance Services, Rankin Backhoe & Septic, Jeff’s Lawn Care, Fricke-
Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Mary Kelley -- Logan County Circuit Clerk, and Vicki Dugan
--
Logan County Treasurer.
Pictures by Hannah Michalsen
